India - 9 Day Golden Triangle plus Tigers of Ranthambhore - is currently on backorder. You may still purchase now though and we'll ship as soon as more become available.

ITINERARY

Delhi - Jaipur - Agra – Ranthambhore - Delhi: 9 days

Golden Triangle and Tigers - this tour gives you the best of both in 9 Days and a spectacular holiday to enjoy and remember.

The Golden Triangle refers to the 3 cities of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra that make an almost perfect triangle. The golden part refers to the wealth of culture, history and magnificence on offer.

A short drive from Agra followed by a train journey takes you to Ranthambhore National Park - home of the Royal Bengal Tigers. Once a hunting ground for the Maharaja's, it is now a protected area. Royal as the tigers are, they roam freely in these jungles and are joined by sloth bears, leopards, jungle cats, deers, birds and much more.

If you would prefer something slightly shorter, we offer this same tour as a 7 Day tour that is without the Tigers of Ranthambhore.

Travelbay Tip:Extend this tour with the Pushkar Camel Fair. These are for departures in November and certain dates apply. Click here for more information.

* Price includes 8 nights' accommodation, air-conditioned vehicle, all entrance fees, guides, 18 meals and more. Price does not include international return flights to India.

We would be happy to provide you with a quote for international flights. Flights from Australia to Delhi are approximately $900 - $1100 per person return. The actual price varies depending on departure city, time of year and luck of the draw!

Day 2: Discover Delhi - the heart of India

A special opportunity to soak in the sounds and aromas of Delhi and discover why it is known as the heart of India.

In the morning enjoy a guided tour of Delhi. Explore Old Delhi's heritage walking through the narrow lanes and experience a rickshaw ride.

You will visit key places such as: Jama Masjid - one of the largest mosques in India and iconic of Delhi, Raj Ghat - Mahatma Gandhi's monument, Sikh Gurdwara - an important Sikh temple and quiet refuge in the busy city and the iconic Lotus Temple. You will also drive to India Gate, the President's House and Lutyen's buildings and have the opportunity to shop at some local markets.

Day 3: Travel to Jaipur, the colourful capital of Rajasthan

After breakfast, your will be driven to Jaipur in Rajasthan (around 5 hours drive). This bustling and fascinating city has some of the finest examples of Rajasthani architecture and whilst it is a growing city with a modern outlook, camels can be found wandering the streets and rickshaws blend in with the traffic.

You will be driven to your hotel on arrival and you can spend the rest of the day at leisure. In the evening you will be taken to a lovely but simple cafe located in Naharagarh Palace, perched on top of a hill, it offers a superb bird’s eye view of the city. Enjoy watching the sun going down over the city.

Day 4: Visit Amber Fort and discover the Pink City

After breakfast visit the ancient palace of Amber Fort*, which is exquisite in many ways – size, scale, craftsmanship, history. The fort sits on a hilltop overlooking the lake with stunning views. One of the most spectacular buildings contained in the fort is the Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors), with its walls completely covered with tiny mirrors. It has been designed so that even if a single ray of light is to enter the hall, this light is reflected in all the mirrors and the entire hall lights up.

Later visit the key sights and wonders of the Pink City in the heart of Jaipur. Visit the Observatory, the Maharaja's City Palace and Palace of the Winds (viewed from the outside only). Built of red and pink sandstone it is said to resemble the honeycomb structure of a bee’s nest. It was called the Palace of Winds as in the original design it had a clever cooling system that once spread gentle breezes throughout the Palace – very welcome in the hot Rajasthani summers. It is said to have been built as an observatory where the women of the Maharaja's City Palace could observe the outside world whilst remaining inside the palace.

The bustling bazaars of the old city are a great place to shop and explore and are some of the most vibrant in Asia – Rajasthan is known for it’s colour!

*You have the option to take an elephant ride to Amber Fort. The cost of this is AUD15 per person (2 people on an elephant) or AUD30 (one person atop an elephant). There are strict regulations in place to limit the total number of journeys each elephant can do in a day, and they are only allowed to carry 2 passengers at a time to prevent any over working of elephants.

Day 5: Travel to Ranthambhore and enjoy an afternoon safari

After breakfast you will be collected for the drive to Ranthambhore (around 4 hours).

In the afternoon enjoy a shared jeep safari* inside the Ranthambhore National Park - considered one of the best places to see Bengal tigers in their natural habitat. And it's not just tigers you see, Ranthambhore is home to many more animals such as leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, jackals, jungle cats, marsh crocodiles, tortoises, monitor lizards, pythons, the Indian Chameleon, a huge array of birdlife and much much more.

* The Standard package offers shared canter safaris. These are safaris in small open mini buses and can accommodate up to 20 people. There is the option to upgrade to a shared jeep safari for AUD $33 per person per safari. For the Deluxe and Super Deluxe package the safaris are shared jeep safaris and there is the option to upgrade to exclusive jeep safaris for AUD $78 per person per safari (2+people).

Day 7: Travel to Agra via the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri

After breakfast you will be collected for the drive toAgra(around 6 hours). On the way stop at the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Located in the Keoladeo National Park, a world heritage site and protected sanctuary, it is home to thousands of birds. Enjoy this wonder of India as you ride through the park on a rickshaw.

Visit a local school (subject to the school being open) and village before having lunch at a local restaurant, then visit the desertedMughal city of Fatehpur Sikri. Walk through the city with your guide hearing the intriguing story behind the abandoning of the city and learn about its great architecture.

Day 8: The magnificent Taj Mahal and Agra Fort

Visiting theTaj Mahalin the early morning is something not to be missed. Watch as the marble changes colour as the sun rises, follow this by wandering the grounds of the Taj Mahal with your guide and marveling at its wonder. Your will then be taken back to your hotel for breakfast.

Later in the morning, visit the majesticAgra Fortand take yourself back in time to an era of great palaces and grand forts.The fort itself is magnificent, and you also get great views of the Taj Mahal in the distance. Later visit a Marble factory where you see the fascinating inlay work of local artisans whose forefathers built the Taj Mahal.

Following the mornings activities, you will be driven to Delhi (around 4 hours). On arrival in Delhi you will be taken to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free at your leisure.

Timezones:To help you calculate the time difference we recommend World Time Buddy.

Visa information:Most nationalities require a visa when travelling to India. You need to apply for and receive your visa before you depart.

You can apply for your visa via VFS Global who works in conjunction with the Indian embassy. You will need to send your passport and application form by mail to VFS. See here for more information.

Or you can apply for an e-visa online here. Please note, if you apply for an e-visa you may have to wait in queue once you arrive in India (additional to immigration). Sometimes this line can be an hour or more.

Currency information:The currency used in India is the Indian Rupee.

What currency to take over there is a personal choice. Some people prefer to take US$ cash as a backup whilst others prefer to take AUD$ cash – it depends on what you are comfortable with. There are ATM machines available and you should let your bank know that you will be using your card over there to avoid them freezing any 'suspicious' activity.

Ranthambhore National Park safarisRanthambhore National Park has a healthy population of tigers and so the chance of sightings is good.

Canter safari

The standard option of this tour offer canter safaris. A canter is a small open min bus that can accommodate 20 people. All canters start early morning and you will be collected from your hotel or resort. A park guide is provided by the park authorities who can help with sightings and explain about the animals and surroundings.

Jeep safari

Shared jeep safari: On the standard package you can upgrade to a shared jeep safari where there are 4 people to a jeep. The Deluxe and Super Deluxe packages include shared jeep safaris.

Exclusive jeep safari: On the Deluxe and Super Deluxe packages there is the option to upgrade to a private jeep safari where you will have your own personal guide.

Please see the Terms for upgrade prices.

Climate:The region can be very hot in the summer time (April to July) with temperatures ranging from 22°C to 45°C. In the winter months the temperatures range from 22°C to 5°C.

Please note: The safari parks are closed during the hot summer months from June - September

Monsoon season: July to September.

Dry season: April to June.

Peak season: The end of December and into February is peak season for travel in India.

October to April is a popular time for visitors’ due to the milder and cool climate. There are some tours to the North of India that we do not run in the summer time due to the sizzling weather in the dry areas such as Rajasthan.

Diwali and Holi are festivals in India and during this time places are more likely to be crowded and accommodation fills up quickly. Diwali falls in October and is the festival of lights. Holi is also known as the Festival of Colours and is celebrated in March. Whilst crowded, it can be a great time to enjoy the festivities with the locals.

Tipping tips:

Tipping is entirely at your discretion.

In response to some customers questions here are a few guidelines:

It is usual to tip the waiters, porters, guides and drivers. Tips are not included in the bills for hotels, transport companies or any other suppliers. At hotels and restaurants, about 10% of the bill is usually acceptable. Tipping is not necessary for taxis or for cheaper restaurants. It is a good idea to check if service charges are included in your restaurant bill. If not, a tip of 10% of the total bill is normal.

Although we give below a few general guidelines, it is to be remembered that tipping is a sign of gratification for good service, and therefore please view the guidelines as the middle ground, which can be adjusted depending on the level of service you feel you have received.

Please note the below amounts are per person for individual travellers.

Guides, Escorts and Transport:

Guide (Full Day) Rs 500 – Rs 800 per day

Guide (Half Day) Rs 400 – Rs 600 per day

Tour Escort Rs 500 – Rs 1000 per day

Driver for the tour Rs 300 – Rs 500 per day

Driver for local duties Rs - 500 per day

Hotels/ Restaurants:

Bell Boy Rs 30 – Rs 50 per member of staff

Room Service & Restaurants About 10% of the bill total (Unless service charge is mentioned as included)

Vaccination information:Travelbay recommends you check with your doctor as to any immunisations that you may require or that are recommended for your travels. Alternatively, you can visit The Travel Doctor or Travelvax for more information.

Population: 1.3 billion

Language: There is no national language in India. Hindi and English are both official languages. India has over 1,000 spoken languages. The languages with the most number of speakers are Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi and Tamil.

India, Pakistan and Bangladesh used to be one country. After British rule ended in 1947 these countries eventually became independent.

Delhi is the capital of India but Mumbai is the most populated with a population of over 20 million.

India prides itself on being the world's largest democracy. In the 2009 election there were over 417 million voters.

The Bengal tiger is the national animal of both India and Bangladesh. It is also the largest of the tigers.

The Bengal tiger has the healthiest population of tigers but it is estimated that there are only 2500 of them in the wild. It has no natural predators and habitat loss is the major threat.

Related blogs & articles:

Travelbay Tip:

Extend your time in India with some time in Kerala.

More Travelbay India Tours:

TERMS

Terms & Conditions

Booking Process:

Upon purchase of your tour online you will immediately receive a receipt and order confirmation. Travelbay will contact the tour operator to confirm availability for all accommodation and transportation for your tour.

As soon as we have confirmed the dates (usually within 24 hours sometimes a little longer at weekends) we will email you your booking confirmation.

We will request further information from you to ensure that all your personal preferences are taken care of. This will include details such as your accommodation preferences, dietary requests, allergies, health issues, emergency contact and any special requirements. We will also request a copy of each traveller’s passport.

Very Important:

It is important to note yourdates are only confirmed once we have been in touch with you to confirm availability. Therefore, please wait on purchasing your international flights until you have received a booking confirmation from us. In the unlikely event that there is no availability on your chosen date we will offer you alternate dates. If these do not suit we will fully refund your payment.

Booking Information:

Quoted prices are per person.

Booking valid for selected and booked travel dates.

Please book at least 30 days prior to your desired date of travel. We recommend booking as early as possible so that we can reserve you a place on the wildlife safaris as these are limited.

Bookings are subject to availability.

Child prices: Children under 5 are free. Please contact us for prices of children 5 and over as it will vary depending on the age of the child and group size.

For the Deluxe and Super Deluxe packages there is the option to upgrade to Toyota Innova for transfers: AUD $24 per person (2 people) and AUD $48 (1 person).

Minimum group size is 2.

The listed "Price per person ~ single room" relates to having your own room for the tour. If you are a single traveller please note the minimum group size is 2, so you need to contact us prior to booking to ensure others have already booked on your preferred travel date. If you would like to travel alone, please contact us and we can arrange a custom quote.

Maximum group size is 10. Please contact us if your group is larger than 10.

For groups of 10 or more people you will have an accompanying tour escort.

If you would like to arrive before the start of tour or leave later and require extra nights’ accommodation, please contact us and we can arrange it for you at very reasonable rates.

If you have any other special requests including having a quote for a private tour please let us know as we can make arrangements.

Please note: The luggage limit for checked in baggage for many domestic flights in India is 15kg. For carry on it is 7kg. Some flights allow more but you cannot depend on this. If your luggage exceeds the allowed rate then you are responsible for paying any excess charges. Again these vary, but start at around AUD5 per kg and are sometimes more for longer flights.

Prior to completion of your booking we take great care to go through all the details together with you until we get everything exactly as you would like it. At that point we confirm your booking and the details and you pay for it. If after payment, you decide to make further changes we will do what we can to accommodate them and will also need to charge an additional $50 administration fee.

Inclusions:

8 nights' accommodation.

Check-in & check-out time: generally, check in is after 2 pm and check out before 12 pm. Early check-in and late check-out are subject to room availability and may generate additional full day room rate.

18 meals - 8 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners.

All transportation throughout the tour in an air-conditioned vehicle. The vehicle used will depend on the size of the tour and will range from an air-conditioned car for groups of 2, a Toyota Innova for groups of 3, a minivan for groups of 4-10 people and for groups over 10 a coach will be used. The vehicle will be used accordingly to the number of people booked on each date.

2x train tickets: one from Bharatpur to Sawai Madhopur and one from Sawai Madhopur to Delhi.

All airport transfers – a representative will be there to meet you on arrival and get you to the airport on time for your departure.

Assistance at airports and all major cities.

Assistance and porterage at railway stations.

Local park guide during safaris as provided by the Ranthambhore National Park.

3x safaris (Shared Canter Safaris - option to upgrade to Shared Jeep safaris for Deluxe and Super Deluxe package) where you can spot Bengal Tigers and much more wildlife.

English speaking guide for sightseeing as per the tour program (in each location you will have a different guide).

Entrance fees to the monuments and parks as mentioned in the itinerary.

Bottled mineral water during all journeys and transfers.

Exclusions:

International airfares to and from India (we can provide you with a quote for these).

Meals not outlined in the itinerary.

Drinks for all meals.

Elephant ride at Amber Fort - The cost of this is AUD15 per person (based on 2 people sharing) or AUD30 per person (single person on elephant).

Camera fee wherever levied.

Any visa fee.

Travel insurance.

Any additional taxes levied by the Government of India on the tourism sector in future will be payable by the guest.

Any sudden increase in the entrance fee. The price is based on the presently applicable fee.

Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary/ stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond control.

Tips and gratuities.

Personal expenses such as telephone, laundry etc.

Others not indicated in the inclusions.

General Terms & Conditions:

Your contract with Travelbay commences upon us providing you with a booking confirmation (not upon payment).

By purchasing this tour you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to these terms and conditions.

All prices we list are in AUD unless otherwise stated and include GST where payable.

This package, including any unused portion, cannot be exchanged for other services or cash.

Some accommodation providers may require that you present a credit card or cash deposit upon check-in to cover any additional expenses that may be incurred during your stay, for example mini-bar. You are responsible for the payment of any such additional expenses.

Please check baggage allowance prior to travel. The allowance may vary according to the destination, airline, cruise or coach operator. You are responsible for any excess baggage fees.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have a valid visa, if required. Please click here for more information on visa requirements.

Passport and visa regulations can change and it is your responsibility to ensure that you possess the relevant travel documents before you travel. Delays can be experienced in obtaining a passport or visa, so you are advised to apply in plenty of time. We accept no responsibility in any regard in relation to customers who are denied entry to a country because they do not possess the correct travel documents.

It is also your responsibility to ensure that you hold a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your date of return. If you hold multiple passports, you may be required to present your passport of residence on departing that country. If you hold a passport for a country to which you are travelling, you may be obliged to produce that passport on entering the country. Accordingly, you could be obliged to carry more than one passport when travelling overseas. You should make your own enquiries in relation to your specific circumstances and requirements.

It is your responsibility to ensure that all your details are recorded correctly. Any request for a name change after documents have been issued may incur amendment fees or result in the original booking being cancelled and in the case of airlines, the loss of a seat.

When purchasing flights, cruises and other carriage and travel services, the name on the passport must match the name on the ticket otherwise you may not be able to travel and insurance may be invalid. If, after purchasing products or services but before traveling, any member of your party changes their name you must notify the relevant carrier, or us, immediately so that the necessary changes can be made to your documentation. You may incur a fee.

Travelbay recommends you check with your doctor as to any immunisations that you may require or that are recommended for your travels. Alternatively, you can visit The Travel Doctor or Travelvax for more information. For those of you who have any medical conditions please also ensure you are fit to travel and have all the medication you need with you. Recommended inoculations for travel may change and you should consult your doctor for current recommendations before you depart. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet all health entry requirements, obtain recommended inoculations, take all recommended medication, and follow all medical advice in relation to your trip.

Many but not all suppliers have facilities for people who require assistance. If you have any disabilities or require special assistance, please let us know at the time of booking so we can check if suitable services are available.

It is your responsibility to review travel prohibitions, warnings, announcements and advisories issued by the relevant government agencies prior to booking travel or departing to international destinations. For Australian travellers, information on conditions in various countries and the level of risk associated with travel to particular international destinations can be found on the Australian Government's travel advisory and consular assistance service website currently located at http://www.smarttraveller.gov.au. For travellers from other countries we recommend you check the travel recommendations of your country.

By offering reservations for travel-related products or services in relation to particular international destinations, Travelbay does not represent or warrant that travel to such points is advisable or without risk, and Travelbay is not liable for damages or losses that may result from travel to such destinations.

Travelbay sells tours on behalf of other Suppliers/Tour Operators. We rely on the relevant third party suppliers. Travelbay and the airlines, hotels and other Suppliers providing Services made available on or through this Website are independent parties and are not related parties. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Travelbay is not liable for the acts, errors, omissions, representations, warranties, breaches or negligence of any such Suppliers or for any personal injuries, death, property damage, or other damages or expenses resulting therefrom.

Whilst we take great care to provide clear and accurate information, there may be occasions where there are inaccuracies or errors. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Travelbay does not guarantee the accuracy of, and disclaims liability for, any errors or other inaccuracies relating to the information, descriptions and activities displayed on this website and in our promotional material.

All accommodation and hotels are subject to change. If the stated hotel is not available a hotel of a similar standard and location will be booked.

Hotel ratings displayed on this Website and in our promotional material are intended only as general guidelines, and Travelbay does not guarantee the accuracy of the ratings. Hotel room images are representative only and the actual room occupied may vary in inclusions and décor.

In some circumstances, some specific products or services as contained on this website and promotional material may not be available due to circumstance beyond our control. In that situation, we will do our best to provide replacement products and / or services of a comparable nature and quality. Travelbay and our respective Suppliers make no guarantees about the availability of specific products and services.

Subject to relevant laws, if Travelbay merges, sells or otherwise changes control of our business or this Website, we reserve the right, without giving notice or seeking consent, to transfer or assign your Personal Information, content and rights that we have collected from you and any agreements we have made with you.

Travelbay reserves all intellectual property rights, including but not limited to, copyright in material and/or services provided by us.

If you have any questions please email us 24/7 or call us Monday to Friday on 1800 020 020 to speak with one of our friendly team.

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4 October 2019

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18 October 2019**

24 October 2019* Diwali - special departure

1 November 2019*

8 November 2019*

15 November 2019*

22 November 2019

29 November 2019

6 December 2019

13 December 2019

23 December 2019*

30 December 2019*

3 January 2020*

10 January 2020

17 January 2020

24 January 2020*

31 January 2020*

7 February 2020*

14 February 2020*

21 February 2020*

28 February 2020*

6 March 2020* Holi - special departure

13 March 2020***

20 March 2020

27 March 2020

3 April 2020

10 April 2020

17 April 2020

24 April 2020

More dates available, please contact us

*High season surcharge of $50 applies

Customer Reviews

Hello, we had a great trip. Some highlights; we liked the tiger safari at Ranthambore and staying at Khem Villas. The staff at Khem Villas were exceptional and we were lucky enough to see a tiger on our third safari. Amber Fort at Jaipur and the Taj Mahal were amazing. Special mention to your team who looked after us.When we needed help, Abhi was on hand and our two drivers, Serrat and Subhash were professional and likeable guys who made travelling a pleasure. The guides we had were great.

D

D.S.

The 9 days we spent in India were amazing.

The 9 days we spent in India were amazing, filled with historical sites, natural wonders and colourful sights and sounds. The local guides and driver were excellent, always helpful and professional. Seeing tigers in the wild, up close on the Safari was breathtaking. Would highly recommend this tour.

S

S.M.

Thank you Travelbay we loved our holiday in India.

The nine days were packed with all of the things we wanted to see and do on our short trip through the Golden Triangle. Each of our guides were amazing, not only for their local knowledge but the way they managed to fast track us in to all of the sights to maximise our visits. They really brought all of the old forts and palaces to life with their narratives and stories of life under the Maharajas.

All of our transfers between cities and the drop offs at the sights were really smooth. We felt very relaxed despite the hectic, but normal, Indian traffic outside and always arrived at another great relaxing hotel after the days journey.

Between the guides and our driver we were always led to great restaurants for our lunch stops and the best and most comfortable (read that as the least hassle) places to shop for those things you really want to bring home from India, like marble elephants and cashmere scarves - you can never have too many of either!

Travelbay provides great value tour packages and holidays around the world.

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